What should I ask my doctor before an abortion?

Is this a government-licensed facility?

Before an abortion, many women feel they should stay quiet and accept whatever they are told. Please do not. You have every right to ask questions, and you deserve calm, clear answers; it can help to write them down and bring them with you. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. It sets out the questions we would want any woman to ask, with the answers you can expect from us.

The first question is about the place itself. Safe, lawful care is given under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at a government-licensed facility, by a qualified doctor. We are licensed, and we work within that law. Whether you are married or not, you are welcome, and your privacy is protected at every step.

Will I be scanned first?

With us, the answer is always yes. We do an ultrasound scan before anything else. It confirms that the pregnancy is inside the womb, shows how far along it is, and lets the doctor plan your care properly. A pregnancy outside the womb, an ectopic pregnancy, is a different and urgent condition that needs different treatment, and the scan is how it is found. Our guide to the ultrasound before an abortion explains more.

Which method suits me, and why?

Broadly, there is a medicine route and a short surgical procedure. Which one is right depends on your scan, your health, your medical history and your own wishes. You can expect the doctor to explain the reasons for the recommendation, what each route involves and what you are likely to experience. You can read about medical or surgical abortion in general terms, but the decision is always made with the doctor, after your own assessment. It is also reasonable to ask how long you will be at the hospital, and what the day will look like.

Are the instruments single-use?

It is a fair question, and an important one. We use 100% single-use disposable instruments. Each instrument is opened fresh for you, used only for you, and never used on anyone else, so there is no cross-contamination between patients. It is one of the simplest and strongest protections in medicine. Our page on single-use disposables in abortion explains why it matters.

Is a surgical procedure done under real-time ultrasound guidance?

Here, every surgical procedure, whether suction or a D and C, is carried out under real-time ultrasound guidance, with the doctor watching the womb on a screen throughout. This lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, an injury to the wall of the womb. It also shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops right there, with no unnecessary scraping (no over-curettage). That helps protect the lining of the womb for any pregnancy you may want in the future.

How will I be kept comfortable?

A surgical procedure is done under anaesthesia in an operating theatre, with your breathing, pulse and blood pressure monitored throughout. Because of the anaesthesia, our policy is that you come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards; for other types of abortion, you may come on your own. With the medicine route, the doctor explains what you are likely to feel, such as cramping and bleeding, and how we help you stay comfortable. For a procedure, you can also ask who will give the anaesthesia, and how you will be looked after as you wake up. Our page is an abortion painful? covers this in more detail.

What happens afterwards?

Ask what is normal, which warning signs mean you should call, and when your follow-up visit will be. Some bleeding and cramping, a little like a period, is expected and should ease day by day. Very heavy bleeding, severe pain, a fever or a foul-smelling discharge are reasons to call straight away. The follow-up visit confirms that everything has settled, and it is a good moment for a calm talk about contraception, if you would like one. Ask, too, how to reach the hospital if you are worried after you go home.

What is included in the estimate?

You should receive a complete estimate before treatment begins, with every charge explained, so ask what it covers: the hospital, the doctors, the medicines and the tests. Ours is based on the age of the pregnancy measured by ultrasound, which can differ from the date worked out from your last period, and on your blood tests. If a test shows you need extra care, such as treatment for anaemia, we explain the change before treatment starts. After that, the hospital bill is fixed, with no surprises later.

Getting started

You are welcome to ask any of these questions when you first call or message us. Your first consultation can be online, and it will tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide your next step. The treatment itself is always given in person at the hospital in Goa: we do not send any medicine by post or courier, and we do not carry out any abortion by phone. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.